A strong turnout of friends, family and former colleagues gathered yesterday for the funeral of former Belfast Telegraph political correspondent David Watson.

The 63-year-old, who worked on the paper for more than 40 years, passed away suddenly last week only a few hours after enjoying a Christmas lunch with ex-Telegraph journalists.

Mourners yesterday included Mr Watson’s former wife, the Alliance Party MLA Anna Lo, her party leader David Ford and his sons Conall and Owen.

They were joined by former Telegraph editor Martin Lindsay, ex-UTV broadcaster Ivan Little, former Daily Mirror reporter John Hicks and ex-Press Association writer Ian Graham.

The former television presenter Helen Madden led the service at Roselawn and said his passing was particularly devastating for his mother Trudy, sister Stephanie, as well as Anna and sons Conall and Owen.